sides invested it, and under cover of a tremendous fire of their own archers, they advanced upon the barriers, which they soon conquered, and gained every place until they reached the town gates. Evening had then arrived, and they desisted; but in the morning the attack was renewed in several places at once; Sir Walter Manny cheered on his men, and was already, under a most determined and sanguinary resistance, gaining admission into the part of the town he attacked, when a herald sounded a truce.

The townspeople found the engagement too hot for their welfare, and therefore requested of two knights to treat for a peace. They advanced, and stated their desire to see the Earl of Derby-a request which was conveyed to him; and guessing its purport, he ordered his men to retire, and advanced, accompanied by Sir Walter Manny and the Lord Stafford, alone, to confer with these two knights. The Earl demanded unconditional surrender, which the knights were not disposed to grant; but after some discussion, the town agreed to pay homage to "the King of England as Duke of Guienne, and that twelve of the principal citizens should be sent as hostages to Bordeaux." When this point was settled, the French knights and squires were granted passports, and they immediately left the town, and hastened to join their companions in Le Rèole.

Several more towns and castles were captured by the Earl of Derby and Sir Walter Manny subsequent to those already mentioned, the principal of which { was a strong handsome town and castle, belonging to the Archbishop of Toulouse, named Auberoche; and then, having left a garrison in it under the command of Sir Frank Van Halle, and two other knights, he besieged a town named Libourne, which surrendered to him. He left the Lord Stafford in command of this place, despatched the Earl of Pembroke to Bergerac, and himself, accompanied by Sir Walter Manny and the Earl of Oxford, returned to Bordeaux.

morning he was brought before the Count de Lisle, who, having read the letters, discovered for the first time to what a strait the garrison was reduced; he was rejoiced mightily, and with brutal barbarism ordered the poor fellow who had attempted to convey the letters to have them fastened round his neck, and then be thrust into one of the machines for hurling massive stones, and flung into the castle. The horrible order was instantly obeyed, and the miserable wretch was thrown into the fortress, and fell dead at the feet of a number of soldiers who were upon the walls. Several of the French nobles then galloped to the walls, upon which Sir Frank Van Halle was standing, looking with mournful aspect upon the poor fellow who had perished thus miserably, and they {cried, tauntingly,

"What says your messenger? Is he not a speedy one? Where found he the Earl of Derby? Is his lordship prepared to assist you?"

"Base, cowardly miscreants!" roared Sir Frank, "the proudest among ye, were the Earl and gallant Sir Walter Manny here, would shrink like frighted curs; the bravest and best among ye would be afraid to stand your ground. Dare ye send to inform the Earl, and stand battle with him, cowards ?"

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"We fear the Earl nor the mighty Sir Walter Manny no more than we do you," was the reply. "Lying slaves! cowardly, sneaking dogs!" shouted the knight, in a paroxysm of rage, 'you would tremble and shiver with affright and horror, knew ye that they were within five leagues of ye, boasting hounds! Why, an' ye dare to send a messenger to him, I swear you shall have a hostage from these walls as high in rank as any here, even though it be myself."

"No! no!" cried the Frenchmen, derisively, "the Earl shall know when the walls are levelled with the ground, and every one of you have surrendered in abject servility to save your lives, even upon your knees."

The Frenchmen, stung with rage, retorted acrimoniously, and were taunted so bitterly by Sir Frank, that in a desperate fury they returned to the army, set their engines to work, and poured into the castle one storm of stones, breaking the roofs of the towers and houses, so that every one was compelled to seek shelter in the lowest chambers of the buildings, but still there was no signs of surrender.

No sooner did the Count de Lisle learn that his forces were thus divided, and he in Bordeaux, in all Judge not of us by yourselves," returned the probability intending to remain there without pro-knight, "we are resolved to die on the walls rather secuting any further expeditions that season, he than surrender. We are men who find it easier to wrote letters to all the Gascon lords in the French die, than be the slaves ye are." interest, to arm as many men as they could gather together, and meet him upon a certain day before Auberoche, which he intended to besiege. His wishes were complied with, and he began the siege with ten thousand men. The town and castle was so completely surrounded, there was no opportunity of despatching intelligence to the Earl of Derby of the condition the garrison was in; and Sir Frank Van Halle resolved to die rather than surrender. The number they had to defend the castle with was very small, and provisions began to grow scarce; their situation became desperate, and it was at length necessary that the Earl should know how they were circumstanced.

A large reward was offered for any one who would { attempt to convey letters to him; and a gallant fellow offered, not for the sake of the reward, but with the hope of bringing succour to his fellow sufferers. Accordingly, in the dead of the night, with the letters secreted on his person, he was lowered from the walls, and began threading his way through the enemy's army, for there was no other road; he was stopped by a sentinel, but speaking the Gascon language fluently, he mentioned a noble of the army, and was permitted to proceed. But as he drew into the heart of the encampment, he was stopped again, and interrogated so closely, that he was unable to carry on the disguise; he was arrested, searched, the letters were discovered, and in the

It happened that in the French army there was a spy in the pay of the Earl of Derby, and as soon as he had an opportunity he made the Earl acquainted with all that had transpired, and the Earl instantly prepared to set out for the relief. He was short of men, and sent to the Earl of Pembroke and Lord Stafford to meet him at Libourne. He speedily reached there, and met the Lord Stafford, but the Earl of Pembroke did not arrive, although they waited the whole day. They then pushed forward, and left orders for him to follow them immediately he arrived, and on the morrow they came within two leagues of Auberoche. They alighted on the borders of an extensive wood, and here again waited for the Earl of Pembroke, but noon arrived and he did not make his appearance; they were in doubt what to do, for he had the bulk of the army with him; they only numbered three hundred lances and six hundred archers, and the Earl of Pembroke had four thousand archers with him. The Earl of Derby knew that thei French numbered between ten and twelve thousand

well provided with men, provisions, and ammunition, and bid fair to cause a vast deal of time and labour to conquer. For nine weeks the English were before it, never suffering a day to pass without assaulting it, and still it held out; every approach to it was so guarded that no provision or succour could reach it, nor any one quit its walls. Two enormous towers were erected of wood three stories in height, and were covered over with prepared leather to resist fire or arrows. Each of the stories contained an hundred archers, and the whole fabric was placed upon wheels and driven close to the walls; then men were placed between these two towers with pickaxes and bars, and soon effected a breach, through which the English in little time began to pour, and then the inhabitants begged of the governor to surrender, hinting, if he did not, they would. The governor was a brave man, but seeing that the inhabitants were resolved, and no efforts of his could prevent them, he called off his men, and retired to a tall castle which was built upon a rock, and overlooked the town, and vowed he would The men shouted joyously, and regirthing their hold it out to the last, but the townspeople might do horses, fastening their armour, they remounted and as they pleased with the town; they accordingly gave followed Sir Walter Manny cheerfully, though it had up the keys to Sir Walter Manny-whose fame was been to death. They went on very silently until they ever before him, whose gentleness and mercy in peace arrived near the outskirts of the wood, and a small were as well known as his fierceness in war. The cleft showed them the camps of the enemy. As Sir Earl of Derby received the keys from the knight, Walter had anticipated, the enemy were seated at entered with the whole of his army, and immediately supper, and the men were dispersed in all directions, invested the castle. It was built by the Saracens, feasting and singing, quite unconscious of the proximity and the foundation was so enormously strong, and the of a foe. Sir Walter and his people drew on noise-masonry of such singular workmanship, that the lessly until they were quite to the edge of the wood, process of undermining it, by which the Earl of and a few more paces would disclose them to the Derby purposed carrying it, proceeded but slowly. French, and then displaying their pennons and banners, they stuck spurs to their horses, and followed Sir Walter, who was the first to dash into the midst of them, shouting

men, and deemed it madness, with the handful he had with him, to attack; but Sir Walter Manny did { not like the idea of being so near their friends, and doing nothing to help them; he argued that every one of their followers was equal to a dozen of the enemy, and at that computation the forces were equal. "Besides," he added, "these French and Gascons know nothing of our proximity; they will be at supper about the time we reach them; our sudden attack will throw them into confusion, and make the victory easy and certain. Now, my brave companions," he cried, turning to his followers, "ye see my banner; beneath it I will never suffer defeat: I will always conquer or perish, and I will at once depart for these Frenchmen, if I go alone, and strike a blow for the relief of those who are cooped up desparingly within the walls of Auberoche. Who will follow me ?"

"All!" cried the Earl of Derby, with sudden enthusiasm, "to the death!"

"Derby, Derby for ever!"

"Derby, Derby-a Manny, a Manny to the rescue," shouted his followers, and poured in upon the devoted enemy, overthrowing pavilions, and cutting and slaying all before them. The French were thrown into frightful confusion, and fled in all directions towards the plains; but no sooner did a large body collect than the cross-bowmen and archers poured in such a heavy fire they fell in hundreds, and the rest fled. The Count de Lisle, and a long train of lords were taken prisoners, and just ere the victory was gained, Sir Frank Van Halle, seeing from the walls this sudden and unexpected arrival of succour, was almost overcome with joy. He marshalled his men, and sallied from the gates of the fortress to assist his friends, and dashed into the midst of the fray, thus making the victory complete. Thus was a most brilliant conquest achieved with but one thousand men, including all Sir Frank Halle's, over ten thousand, and only through the bravery and enterprise of Sir Walter Manny. The Earl of Pembroke arrived next morning in great vexation that he had been too late; but the Earl of Derby soothed him, and once more, after leaving a strong garrison in the town, he returned to Bordeaux, where the inhabitants received him and Sir Walter Manny with great acclamations and joy. Several months were then suffered to elapse until the following Easter, when the Earl of Derby attempted to attack La Reole, which was the stronghold of the French, and gathered all knights, men-at-arms, and archers, to the number of three thousand, and departed on their expedition. On their way they took towns and castles, after determined struggles and resistance, all adding to the subjection of Gascony, until they came to La Rèole.

This place was very extensive, well fortified, and

While lying before it, the miners only employed, Sir Walter resolved to set at rest a question that had long haunted him. His father, in a journey from St. James of Compostella, had been foully murdered, and buried privately, somewhere in the neighbourhood of La Rèole. Sir Walter was an infant when this took place, and he had no opportunity of learning more of the matter than the above. It had often been a source of anxiety, and now it seemed he should be able to ascertain everything connected with it; he made every inquiry, but was bitterly disappointed to find that all of whom he made inquiries knew nought of the matter. He then offered a reward of one hundred crowns to any one who could relate to him any fact connected with it, and one morning, Mark Grayling, who had occupied Wat's place about his person, brought to him a very old man, saying that he could furnish the desired information. Sir Walter sprung up joyfully, seized the old man's hand, and led him to a seat, and said, with much anxiety and

eagerness

"You can tell me of my father's fate ?" "You are then the renowned Sir Walter Manny ?" exclaimed the old man, in a feeble tone of voice. "I am he," replied Sir Walter, quickly. "What know you of my father ?"

Much, very much," said the old man; "I was in his service when he came to this faithless place, and I have remained here ever since his shameful death."

"My good old man," replied Sir Walter, "your information will indeed be valuable; trust me, you shall be well rewarded. To thy story, for I am impatient until I know all connected with him."

"You shall know all," replied the old man, "but first let me look upon thy face, that my old eyes may be gladdened by the sight of the child of him I loved so much, who was so high, so noble, so brave. Ah!" he added, bending his dim eyes in earnest perusal of Sir Walter's features, "thou'rt indeed the son of the Lord of Manny; there is the same high forehead, the

same clear bright eye, the same manly and noble features that he bore-God rest his soul! Now shall I die happy, that I have looked on his offspring, seen him one of the highest and noblest in the land. have prayed for him, and Heaven has granted my prayer, and the green turf may wave over me as soon as it list-it will lay lightly-it will lay lightly."

"But how met my father his death ?" asked Sir Walter, gently, seeing that the tears ran down the old man's cheeks, but was so anxious to learn what he could communicate, he could not resist putting the question.

his death blow, by stabbing him in the back; the weapon reached his heart, and killed him. I saw the man's face, 'twas the last thing I saw until I afterIwards returned to life. I never forgot it; he was a relation of the Gascon's; but when I told my story, he denied it strongly; and he being rich and powerful, was sooner credited than I, who was but a humble vassal. But I swore to be revenged upon him, and I was, to my soul's richest content."

"How ?" inquired Sir Walter, with great interest. "Why, Sir Walter," exclaimed the old man, excitedly, his voice rising with his enthusiasm, "I "You shall know all," replied the old man, "listen. hovered about him; I watched him, dogged him, Your father was, as you have heard, a brave and { haunted him, incessantly; he knew it, he knew it-he gallant chevalier, whose fame extended through saw me wherever he turned; he felt that I had Hainault, as thine does over the world. Well, a sworn to have his life. He set his myrmidons to Bishop of Cambray, who was by birth a Gascon, of catch and slay me-offered a large sum for my head. the families of Buc and Mirepoix, gave a magnificent I evaded all pursuit; and still was ever near him tournament at Cambray, to which your noble father, when he least expected it. He was harassed and God assoilize his soul! was, as well as five hundred affrighted, until he was wasted to a shadow—he could knights, invited. Your father met with a tall, huge not rest nor sleep, for I appeared at all times and in Gascon knight, who vaunted and boasted that he all places. I was as a shadow, as a devilish spirit, would and could conquer all and everything. Nothing, that he could not shake off, and his life was a he swore, could stand before him, and vowed, God torment-as bad as any that can be inflicted in the knows what else beside, and this he did before infernal regions. At length I caught him alone: he your father, who laughed in his face, and would { shrieked to me for mercy; he had shewn my beloved have tweaked his beard for his insolent vaunting, master none, I gave him none-none, none. I buried but some knight present stayed him in his wrath; my knife where he had struck my lord; I took care it was, however, agreed that they should run a tilt it reached his heart, for I repeated it again and again, next day with each other; and notwithstanding your and then left him a corpse. I then returned to La father, in three several encounters, lifted him out Rèole, and have lived ever since near the tomb of my of his saddle as if he had been an infant, he must beloved lord, in the hope that some day I should see need appeal to swords, when he got so roughly his bones laid in the grave of his ancestors. handled, that he would have roared for mercy, but for very shame he durst not, seeing that it was before so large an assembly, and it was known what boastings he had made. So your noble father would not slay him outright; albeit he had so much the advantage, he could have done it with ease, but disarmed him and offered him his life-a grace which he very gladly and thankfully received. He, however, never recovered the shame of defeat, and his wounds defying the leech's skill, he died. His family swore they would be revenged upon your father; and he, gallant soul, laughed them to scorn. Howbeit, some wise and prudent people foresceing that the worst might ensue to thy father, essayed to make a reconciliation, and so far succeeded, that the families agreed to cry quittance, if thy father would make a pilgrimage of penance to St. James of Compostella. Thy father, seeing the good people who had interested themselves in his behalf would be grieved did he not consent, agreed to the terms and went. Oh, that he did! oh, that sad, unfortunate journey!"

"It was during that pilgrimage he perished?" said Sir Walter, anxiously.

"And you shall have your wish, my faithful friend," exclaimed Sir Walter, affected by the old man's tale. "Where does his body now lay ?"

"The Earl of Valois had him laid, immediately after his death, in a small chapel which then stood without the walls; but when the Earl conquered the town he caused the chapel to be enclosed as it now stands. I can lead you to it, and point out the tomb. Well I know it, for matins and vespers I pray by its side."

"Conduct me thither, at once," said the knight; "I am all impatience until I behold it." "It is not far; follow me," replied the old man, and instantly led the way.

Sir Walter followed him rapidly, and after a short walk they came to the chapel and entered it, and the old man stopped before a small marble tomb, upon which the effigy of a knight, in all the panoply of war, rested; and, pointing to it, he turned to Sir Walter, and said

"It is there!"

Sir Walter regarded the tomb for a few minutes in silence, and his bosom throbbed with strong emotions, and then he muttered-

"And my beloved, honored parent is there ?" "You may be perfectly assured that your father was buried and lies under this tomb, replied the old man, earnestly.

"It was-it was!" replied the old man. "At the time he set out, this town of La Rèole was being besieged by Earl Charles of Valois, brother to King Philip the Fair, who was endeavoring to wrest it from the King of England, the father of the present Edward. As thy father returned-I was in "I do not doubt thee," exclaimed Sir Walter. attendance upon him all the time-he paid the Earl "There is something in my heart which tells me thou Charles a visit; and one night, in returning from the hast spoken the truth. My dear father," he apostro Earl's hotel, where he had been passing the evening,phised, "thy remains shall no longer lie here in he was waylaid by the kindred of him who had died, obscurity, but be restored to the tomb of thy ances by those who had sworn to be at peace with thy tors, so please God, ere another month hath passed father when he had performed the penance, and in away." spite of all resistance, was basely, cruelly murdered. "Amen!" cried the old man, with a glad heart. I also was left for dead, covered with wounds, but I On looking closely at the tomb, the knight disrecovered thy father never. The attack was so covered an inscription in Latin, which, when deci sudden that I could scarce distinguish who the assail-phered, he found corroborated the old man's words, nats were, but I saw as I fell one man give thy father After a short time he retired and took the old man

to his quarters with him, and two days afterwards he had the tomb opened, and he found the body of his father in a good state of preservation. He had it carefully placed in a coffin, and sent it, under the charge of the old man, to Valenciennes, in the county of Hainault, where it was laid in the family tomb in the church of the Frères Mineurs, near to the choir. He gave large sums for masses to be said for theperately, unhorsed, but his banner still waving repose of his soul, and ordered them to be continued yearly, and the old man found a comfortable and happy asylum on his estate.

Very soon after this had occurred, the castle of La Reole surrendered. The Earl then advanced against Monpouillant, which he captured. Castle Still passed day after day fighting, nothing but Moron, Villefranche, Miraumont, Tonniens, Blayes, fighting; and still was the Duke of Normandy's army all surrendered to him, and then once more he re-thinning without gaining one advantage. Four imturned to Bordeaux. In each of these conquests, Sir mensely tall towers were built and filled with menWalter had distinguished himself beyond precedent, were carried in vessels to the walls; but the "besieged and with the Earl of Derby, "gained so much let off four martinets," which completely upset and riches," Froissart saith, "that it was marvellous to destroyed them, nearly drowning those who were in think on." them. And now the Duke of Normandy was at his wit'send; and having sworn never to quit the place until he had conquered it, finding every scheme had failed, he was at a loss what to do, unless he reduced it by famine. It was his only alternative; and he sent to the King of France, relating his situation, and desiring to know if he wished him to remain so long before it, as he could not obtain it by force, for the English had vowed to eat their boots sooner than surrender.